Reliever woes and rotation uncertainty cloud the Twins' outlook

The Minnesota Twins were not the busiest team during the offseason, and a little before spring training got underway, they learned they would be without their ace Pablo Lopez for the season. 

He was placed on the IL after an MRI showed a significant tear of his UCL in his right elbow, requiring surgery. Despite this, the team got off to a solid start. 

However, they have since hit a cold streak. They sit with a 16-20 record, putting them in the basement of the AL Central while they wait to hear news on another starting pitcher with injury concerns. 

MORE: Twins' Byron Buxton powers jaw-dropping home run spree

Reliever woes and rotation uncertainty cloud the Twins' outlook

Starter Joe Ryan exited his most recent start in the first inning after feeling some elbow pain. Already down one starter, it would be a real killer if Ryan had to miss extended time. 

Now, it's unclear just how long Ryan will miss. But the good news is that no structural damage was found during his MRI.

Outside of the injury to Ryan, the next biggest focus is on how badly the bullpen is performing. ESPN's Bradford Doolittle doesn't have a lot of faith that things will change, either. 

"You can't really point to anyone in the Minnesota bullpen -- 29th in the majors in ERA -- who is throwing particularly well. Kody Funderburk has a sparkling 2.03 ERA, but it's a mirage, as he has walked more batters than he has struck out. The Twins are young and probably rebuilding, especially if Ryan will be out. But a miserable bullpen can make for a very long summer."

You can't expect to win many games if the bullpen can't deliver. Minnesota needs to figure out a way to limit the runs coming in the later innings, or this is going to be one long season for the fans. 

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